The article below, which is written by attorneys from the law firm of K&L Gates LLP who represent oil, gas and mineral companies in royalty and other disputes, discusses a recent decision by a federal circuit court in another circuit (we are in the Third Circuit) that highlights some of the potential hurdles facing royalty interest owners who try to litigate claims for underpayment of mineral royalties by class actions. Although the facts and issues involved in every case differ, these are among the the reasons we prefer a group action approach - which avoids the need to litigate these issues.